Senior Russian official: United Russia party to field hundreds of Ukraine war veterans as election candidates

Iryna Balachuk - 28 June, 17:24

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and head of the United Russia party. Photo: TASS

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and head of the United Russia party, has stated that the party will field several hundred veterans of Russia's war against Ukraine as candidates in the upcoming autumn elections at various levels, including for the Russian State Duma.

Source: Russian propaganda agency TASS, citing Medvedev's remarks at a party congress

Details: Medvedev expressed confidence that the participation of the Russian soldiers in the State Duma elections would "further strengthen the position of the United Russia party."

He recalled that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has repeatedly instructed officials to involve veterans of Russia's war against Ukraine in political and public life.

"We are carrying out this instruction. As a result of the preliminary vote, nearly 500 people – 480 individuals, more than one third of all nominees – have secured the right to represent the party in the elections. This means that our society trusts the defenders [as Russian soldiers are referred to in Russia — ed.] and expresses its respect and support for them," Medvedev said.

For reference: Elections to Russia's State Duma will be held from 18 to 20 September. At the same time, elections to the legislative assemblies of 39 regions, as well as elections for senior officials of federal subjects of the Russian Federation, will also take place.

Background:

Earlier reports indicated that Russia had launched campaigns to train and recruit veterans of Russia's war against Ukraine for positions in government bodies and state-owned companies.
In particular, in May 2025, authorities in North Ossetia appointed 34-year-old Yuri Abaev as Minister of Labour and Social Protection. Abaev – a former officer in the Russian army whose alias is Buffalo – was identified by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine as one of those involved in the killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

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